Moving From Hawaii to Utah

Why Hawaii residents move to Utah

Family, church ties and one of the largest Pacific Islander communities per capita in the country draw many island families to the Wasatch Front.

Cost of living: Utah vs. Hawaii

Below Honolulu but rising quickly in recent years.

Income tax: Flat rate around 4.5%. Sales tax: State 4.85% plus mandatory local, about 6.1% minimum combined.

Climate shock

Four real seasons: hot dry summers, cold snowy winters, winter inversions that trap air pollution in valleys.

Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community

Large Tongan, Samoan and Native Hawaiian communities in Salt Lake and Utah counties.

Jobs

Tech ('Silicon Slopes'), healthcare, finance, outdoor industry, Hill AFB.

Getting your things there

Typically from Oakland or Long Beach, roughly 10–11 hours by truck.

Neighbor-island goods ride a barge to Honolulu first. See the shipping guides for timing.

First steps after you arrive

• Get a UT driver's license and register your car — check the deadline with Utah DMV.
• Understand your first-year tax filing with Utah State Tax Commission.
• File a part-year resident return in Hawaii for the year you leave.